Windows Client OS Timeline

Timeline shows anticipated release and retirement dates of Windows client OS versions for enterprises.

Windows 7 leaves Extended support in Jan. 2020. By now, customers should have a plan to migrate to Windows 10 or an alternative desktop OS, or have such migrations already completed.

Windows 8.1 left Mainstream support in Jan. 2018 and will leave Extended support in Jan. 2023. Despite the approximately five years of Extended support remaining for Windows 8.1, customers should be planning to migrate to Windows 10 or an alternative desktop OS.

Neither Windows 7 nor Windows 8.1 will be updated to support new processors and system-on-a-chip (SoC) silicon, which are commonly used in the latest devices. Accordingly, organizations should not consider migrating from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 a viable option.

Windows 10 versions are supported in the following channels:

Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). Prior to version 1709, Windows 10 became generally available via the Current Branch for Business. Since version 1709, the SAC delivers new versions of Windows 10 twice annually; however, the support policy changes with each new version. In Sept. 2018, Microsoft extended the support periods for Windows 10 Enterprise and Education SAC versions 1607, 1703, and 1709 to support each version for a total of 30 months from its date of generally availability.